Our Song of the Day is the highly anticipated “Going Bad” video from Meek Mill and Drake. It’s their first video collaboration since Drake appeared on Meek’s “Amen” off the 2012 album, Dreams and Nightmares.
The new Kid Art-directed visual could be alluding to the pair’s highly publicized 2015 feud, and subsequent 2018 make up, dramatizing it through a game of chicken, and contrasting it with conducting business, and breaking bread together. It’s been clear since they reconnected that both artists were relieved to have the beef behind them, although we’re not privy to the actual state of their relationship on a personal level. Presumably, we wouldn’t be seeing collaborations and Instagram posts showing love if it was all a PR stunt.
Scene from the “Going Bad” video
As Drake wrote after publicly squashing the beef with Meek at a concert in Boston, “This really gave me peace of mind tonight. Healing and moving forward created one of the most electric and gratifying moments of my career.”
“I’m happy that you are home and that we could find our way back to our joint purpose 🙏🏽🙌🏽 (Cue the Kevin Garnett “anything is possible” adlib)” – Drake to Meek Mill via Instagram
The storyline cuts back and forth—gradually revealing the damage caused by Drake and Meek smashing their Phantoms head on at high speeds, in slow motion, and showing them sitting with some notable company, giving off a serious mafia/mob vibe along the way. There’s a rich cast of cameos including T.I., Swizz Beatz, J. Prince, Washington D.C. rapper Shy Glizzy, Nipsey Hussle, PnB Rock, and more.
Meek and Drake are seen betting their pricey watches on a horse race, and stacking their money while they watch the race play out. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Drake bet a watch, and the first time didn’t go over so well. If you’ve been following him from early on in his career, you might remember him losing an expensive piece to Toronto’s Bishop Brigante on Episode 1 of The Gambling Man web series. Shout out Bishop. But I digress.
“Going Bad,” produced by Wheezy and Weiss, is featured on Meek Mill’s fourth studio album, Championships, released on Nov. 30, 2018. Along with Drake, the project features contributions from Fabolous, Anuel AA, Cardi B, Rick Ross, JAY-Z, Future, Roddy Ricch, Young Thug, Kodak Black, Ella Mai, Melii, Jeremih, PnB Rock, 21, and a gang of incredible producers including Canada’s own Pro Logic.
Some people have called the album Meek’s best yet.
Billboard writer Sowmya Krishnamurthy stated, “Meek raps with the same fervor he’s always had, but there’s a discernable focus on Championships. He’s bridled his high-octane flow and is more clear-eyed. Incarceration has sparked a new purpose in him, as an activist and also as a man coming into his own.” She also refers to “Going Bad” as a high point on the project.
Scene from the “Going Bad” video
After debuting at No. 1, Championships currently sits at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart, while “Going Bad” is ranked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Along with the new video, Meek has announced a new 16-city U.S. tour starting February 19 in Miami Beach, with special guests Lil Durk and Kash Doll. You can purchase tickets online via Meek’s official site, MeekMill.com.
You can find “Going Bad” and the Championships album on various digital streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.
Check “Going Bad” below.
Scene from the “Going Bad” video
You can follow @MeekMill and @ChampagnePapi on Instagram.
